I stumble when asked what my favorite yarn is. I mean, I enjoy working with many different yarns, but a favorite? I just don't know. I know for sure that it's a sock yarn. Or is it?

Ok, for the sake of argument, let's say it's a sock yarn. I think I'd have to say Socks That Rock. Now I feel like such a follower. I tried it because of the hype, but what really made me like it was the way it behaved when I knit with it. It just felt so creamy and behaved so well when I formed the stitches. I didn't find it to be splitty at all. And who could neglect to mention the colors! There are so many and they are so beautiful!

I don't really have a least favorite sock yarn to knit with. I don't like all sock yarns or anything, but I just don't have one that I really don't like. They all have a place and time.

As for other yarns that I don't like--- To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the Sea Silk. It doesn't grow very much when blocking (which it disappointing when knitting lace), and the low tide smell is less than pleasant. For that price, I expect perfection, dammit!

This probably isn't fair to blame the yarn, but Trekking has irritated me a little bit. But I still like it. One of my Trekking Jaywalkers ended up going through the wash and dryer, and came out with a huge hole in it. This is not the yarn's fault, but I'm still a little bitter.

This probably won't come as a surprise to anyone, but Noro really bugs me. Knots and twigs, and $25? No thanks! I find the colors pretty, but all the other stuff makes me feel like I got ripped off.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Believe it or not, this was my first time knitting lace that was not on a sock. The main thing that had kept me from lace shawls, etc. was that I thought they'd take forever to do. Man, was I wrong. I started this one on Saturday afternoon. It helped that we watched a couple of movies on Saturday night (The Good German & Hostel). Oh my God, don't watch Hostel, it's so gross and full of gore.

So, the Sea Silk is from Handmaiden, and I've had it in my stash for almost a year. It's funny --- I tried to do this shawl when I first got this yarn, but I screwed something up in the beginning, and gave up.

Don't you find it interesting how much you learn passively? It's not like I practiced this pattern. Something just clicked this time.

I've done the 8 body repeats that the pattern calls for, but I still have a ton of yarn left, so I'm thinking about doing at least one more repeat (possibly/likely two).

I'm making this for my most grateful recipient of hand knit goods (if I don't decide to take it over).

I'm optimistically thinking I'll be able to get it finished tonight. Who knows, maybe if I just park myself in front of the TV I'll be able to do it.

I'll be posting again soon so I can tell you all about my Waving Lace sock, and another sock I've got on the go.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

A shade of blue with this much sheen is usually reserved for princesses in fairyland. I am fortunate enough to be able to experience this color in a yarn.

...but it's not just the color I love. It is also a pleasure to knit with. It's soft and forgiving. A joy!

It's Socks That Rock Lightweight in Blue Moonstone. *Love*

I've started the Waving Lace sock from Favorite Socks (it's the one on the cover). I found this book at a LYS last weekend. I'm not going to mention which one, because I got horrible service. I was pretty much called a liar for saying that Crystal Palace made 2.5mm (size 1.5US) dpns, and was told that if they did in fact exist, I should bring them in.

Am I the only one that has consistantly bad experiences at the yarn stores? I get way better service online, and I don't have to drive around in the rain, and find/pay for parking. Anyway, that's enough of that.

So, I'm knitting this sock on 2.5mm dpns from Crystal Palace. I found this size at Urban Yarns. I'm doing the scalloped top. This is my first time doing a cuff like this, and I'm loving it.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

I was really nervous about running out of yarn, so I made these socks fairly short. By the end, I found out that all my nervousness was unfounded, and there was a ton of sock yarn left over.

This news doesn't help me for this sock, but for the next pair, I will be making them much taller. I love this yarn. It is so soft!

I think my work malaise is getting to me, so I've been indulging in a fair amount of retail therapy lately. You can look forward to seeing some hand painted yarn off of Etsy.com, as well as another Duet color that I ordered right from A Swell Yarn Shop. I hadn't seen this color before. I think it's going to be great.

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I receive it.

Oh, and sometime soon I'll share my progress on the Bubble Pullover from Knitting Nature. I'm on the fourth of eight pentagons.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

What a fast knit! This is where I was early in the day yesterday on the sock---

And by last night, I had not only finished knitting, I had woven in the ends already too!

The best part about this sock is that it fits perfectly!

This was my first time doing the afterthought heel, and it actually makes quite a nice heel. I was really worried that the sock was going to be too long or short though, because you don't really find out how it fits until the end.

I'm really happy with how it turned out though, and I'll be casting on for the second sock in a few minutes.

This yarn is sooooo soft and very cushy. It feels really luxurious! I wasn't really sure how long to make the cuff, so I played it safe and didn't make it very tall. I'm pretty sure I could have made it longer. Specs:Yarn: A Swell Yarn Shop's Duet Sock Yarn in So Chic.Needles: 3mm Addi turbo circ.New techniques: Afterthought heel, making heel and toe in a different color.Started: March 16th, 2007 (late evening).Fished First Sock: March 17th, 2007 (mid evening).

Thursday, March 15, 2007

I got home to a notice saying I'd missed a package today, and I went to the post office to see if they'd gotten the package in there yet.

They had! It's my order from Pick Up Sticks. I have to say that I was EXTREMELY impressed with the quick service from them. I placed my order at around 7pm, and by 9am her time, the package was already in the mail, and it had a tracking number.

I'd like to present to you 2 Duet Sock yarns.

This one reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream.

The front one reminds me of chocolate covered cherries.

The little hanks of brown yarn are for the heels and toes, and has several shades of brown in it. And is just gorgeous!

They also included 2 sample packages of Soak wool wash. I've been wanting to try this.

I really cannot wait to start knitting with this yarn. It is delightfully soft, and is 100% merino.

...and in the DK weight, I could have a finished pair of socks by the end of the weekend!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

I'm sorry to say that there has not been a lot of stuff getting done at my house lately.

I haven't gotten the bags in the mail yet. I haven't been knitting (at least not in the last two days).

The reason for the lack of knitting is that the Monkey sock I cast on for is going to be too big (it's my own fault, I tried to use huge needles). So, I'm going to have to frog it. I'm going to try to get that done tonight.

Things that have been getting done:

Drinking tons of water.

Went to a second hot yoga class.

Knit the third pentagon for the bubble pullover on Sunday.

Still walking home from work (40-45mins) everyday.

I'm feeling like that cold I had is coming back a little bit, but I'm hoping it isn't.

PS. There will be yarn pr0n later in the week, or possibly early next week. It depends on when it gets here.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I don't like acrylic. And I think I'm Koigu'd out. I don't like Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. I prefer natural fibres, but blends are good too. There are so many favorites. I like sock yarns of all sorts, including bamboo blends, merino, etc. Any thing super soft is great!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Some end up in my Lantern Moon silk needle case, the rest end up in a cup beside my phone.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learned when I was about five, but didn't start completing stuff until about 5 years ago, ish. I'd consider myself advanced. That being said, just because I *can* do it, doesn't mean I should do it :)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I have spun, but I don't enjoy it. I know, people think I'm crazy, it's just not my thing. I do like to dye sock yarn, even though I don't get a chance to very often. I really like taking pictures of yarn, does that count?

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Circs (I love my Addis!). I don't use plain straight needles for anything. For socks, when I'm not magic looping, I use Crystal Palace Bamboo needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Not that old. I'm thinking a couple of months.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Other than yarn? Knitting books.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

The new Handknit Socks book from Interweave, More Sensational Knitted socks (can't wait for this one to come out), Socks That Rock, Regia Silk, Opal 6ply in one of the rainforest colors (flamingo is pretty, but who am I kidding, they're all pretty!)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'd like to try 2 socks on 2 circs. I'd like to try needle felting ( I saw the cutest needle felted beads).

Please use the link on the right to send me your addresses, so I can send these little sock bags out!

On to the yoga---

I went to a yoga class for the first time this morning. It started at 7:30am, but I had to be there at 7:15, so I had to leave the house at 7am! I really like driving when there's no one on the road.

Anyway, the class was 90 minutes long, and was amazing. I've never experienced anything like it.

It was "hot yoga" so they pretty much crank the heat way up. I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life.

I can't recommend Bikrams Yoga in Vancouver enough. They were so friendly and welcoming. It was just such an awesome experience. I don't even feel like myself. I feel blissful! And happy! (believe me, with intense PMS, I haven't been feeling particularly happy lately).

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

I walked home from work yesterday and today. For some reason this has taken a lot out of me!

I'll be back on Friday evening to give updates about the week.

Here's the deal with the bags --- I've got two to give away right now, but if I can make a few more by Friday night/Saturday morning, I'll give away a few more. I'm so glad that so many people like them.! Feel free to enter right up until I announce a winner.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Let me tell you what happened to me first thing yesterday morning. I got out of bed when my alarm went off, and headed straight for the bathroom. One step out of the bedroom, and I stepped in a pile of cat vomit while wearing my Monkey socks. Gross!

You'd think that this would be a bad sign for the day, but after I washed the socks, I decided to put them on my sock blockers, and something amazing happened (well, just blocking, but still). The grew significantly taller, and the pattern just popped!

This is the point that I realized that I had to make another pair. I cast on for some more Monkeys last night. I'm using Koigu KPPPM in color #P207 on 3mm needles. This color is pure happiness, it reminds me of those multicolored soft minty things and tea parties and cupcakes. I think it screams girly!

This yarn was in my stash from quite a while ago, and I was smart enough to purchase 3 skeins, so I can make super tall socks.

The verdict: I really like 'em. I actually might knit with this yarn again, since while the yardage looks like it sucks, I actually have quite a bit of yarn left over. I think I could have made the ankles 2-3 inches longer than I did.